(Stand) BIDDING PRAYER with LORD’s PRAYER (said by all): 4 See him in a manger laid THE EVE OF THE NATIVITY Whom the angels praise above; Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our While we raise our hearts in love. daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who Gloria in excelsis Deo. trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and Let us stand and give God our thanks and praise for the Incarnation of our ever. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God:
(Stand) PRAYER FOR OUR BLESSING IN CHRIST (Sit) HYMN #33 Silent Night (with the congregation) After which, all answer: Amen. 1 Silent night, holy night, (Sit) LESSON: Luke 2:1-7 The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem All is calm all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child. (Sit) HYMN #43 Away in a Manger Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace. 1 Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. 2 Silent night, holy night, The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, Shepherds quake at the sight, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia; 5:00 p.m. – CHRISTMAS PAGEANT SERVICE 2 The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, Christ the Saviour is born! But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. (Stand) HYMN #13 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, 3 Silent night, holy night, And stay by my side until morning in nigh. Amen. Son of God, love’s pure light 1 While Shepherds watched their flocks by night Radiant beams from thy holy face, All seated on the ground, (Sit) LESSON: Luke 2:8-14 The Angels proclaim the Gospel of With the dawn of redeeming grace, The angel of the Lord came down, Christ’s birth to the Shepherds. Jesus Lord, at thy birth, Amen. And glory shone around. (Sit) HYMN #42 Angels We Have Heard On High (Stand) APOSTLES CREED (Said by all)
2 “Fear not” said he, for mighty dread 1 Angels we have heard on high, BELIEVE IN GOD the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: Had seized their troubled mind; Singing sweetly through the night, I And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the “Glad tidings of the joy I bring And the mountains in reply Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was To you and all mankind. Echoing their brave delight. crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day he rose 3 “To you, in David’s town this day Gloria in excelsis Deo. again from the dead. He ascended into heaven. And sitteth on the right Is born of David’s line hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; (Sit) LESSON: Luke 2:15-16 In obedience to the Angel’s word, the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; And this shall be the sign: Shepherds go to Bethlehem to see the new born Christ. the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen. 4 “The heavenly Babe you there shall find 2 Shepherds, why this jubilee? To human view displayed. Why these songs of happy cheer? THE COLLECT FOR CHRISTMAS
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, What great brightness did you see? The Lord be with you. And in a manger laid.” What glad tidings did you hear? And with thy spirit. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Let us pray 5 Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng (Sit) LESSON: Matthew 2:1-11 The quest of the Wise Men to find the LMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take Of angels praising God, who thus new born Christ our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; A Addressed their joyful song: grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and 3 Come to Bethlehem and see 6 “All glory be to God on high Him whose birth the angels sing; grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our And on the earth be peace; Come, adore on bended knee Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit Good will henceforth from heaven to men Christ, the Lord, the new-born King. ever, one God, world without end. Amen. Begin and never cease.” Gloria in excelsis Deo.
OFFERING SENTENCE. Brethren, ye know the grace of our Lord 2 For Christ is born of Mary, PAGEANT PLAYERS 2014 Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, And gathered all above, Pageant Players will remain in place after the service for photos. that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love. Mary Mary-Porcher Warner (Stand). OFFERING HYMN #40 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen O morning stars, together Joseph William Taylor Archangel Amelia Wylly God rest ye merry, gentlemen Proclaim the holy birth! Let nothing you dismay And praises sing to God the King, Angels Remember, Christ, our Saviour And peace to men on earth. Emiline Baxter Annie Burdell Was born on Christmas day Katherine Ezelle Olin Anne Hayes 3 How silently, how silently, Louise Mercer Sarah Jane Schultz To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray The wondrous gift is given! Shepherds O tidings of comfort and joy, So God imparts to human hearts Thomas Burdell Jackson Ezelle Comfort and joy The blessings of his heaven. Whit Watson O tidings of comfort and joy No ear may hear his coming, But in this world of sin, Kings From God our Heavenly Father Where meek souls will receive him, still Banks Fana Jacob Perkins Haddon Watson A blessed Angel came; The dear Christ enters in. And unto certain Shepherds Candy Canes Brought tidings of the same: 4 Where children pure and happy Elizabeth and Heath Kulp How that in Bethlehem was born Pray to the blessed Child, with their parents, Diane and Randy The Son of God by Name. Where misery cries out to thee, O tidings of comfort and joy, Son of the mother mild; Lighting the Christmas Candle Comfort and joy Anna Wylly Where charity stands watching O tidings of comfort and joy And faith holds wide the door, Star of Bethlehem Now to the Lord sing praises, The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, Mikel Kelly
All you within this place, And Christmas comes once more. ACOLYTES And with true love and brotherhood Hunt Wasden Philip Inglesby Each other now embrace; 5 O holy Child of Bethlehem! Edwin Shepherd This holy tide of Christmas Descend to us, we pray; All other doth deface. Cast out our sin and enter in, +++++++ O tidings of comfort and joy, Be born in us today. Comfort and joy We hear the Christmas angels The Reverend Fr. Gavin G. Dunbar, Rector The Reverend Fr. Craig E. O’Brien, Priest Associate O tidings of comfort and joy The great glad tidings tell: The Rev. Fr. Jeremy W. Bergstrom, Priest Assistant (Stand) Presentation of Alms and Devotions O come to us, abide with us, Mr. Steven Branyon, Organist and Choirmaster Our Lord Emmanuel! Mrs. Holden T. Hayes, Sr., Church School Director
PRAYER AND BLESSING (Kneeling) +++++++
Priest. The Lord be with you. All Communicant Members of St. John’s should make their Communion at Christmas, or Answer. And with thy spirit. in one of the holy days immediately following. Priest. Let us pray. (all kneel) CHRISTMAS EVE – 11pm Solemn Eucharist
CHRISTMAS DAY – 10:30 a.m. Sung Eucharist (After Prayer and Blessing, Stand) Friday, December 26 (ST. STEPHEN’S DAY) – HYMN #21 O Little Town of Bethlehem 8:15am and 5:30 pm Morning and Evening Prayer
with Holy CommunionOffice Closed. 1 O LITTLE town of Bethlehem, Saturday, December 27 (ST. JOHN’S DAY) - How still we see thee lie! 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Sunday, December 28 (HOLY INNOCENTS) - Yet in thy dark streets shineth 8:00 a.m. Holy Communion The everlasting Light; 9:30 a.m. NO CLASSES THIS SUNDAY The hopes and fears of all the years 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion 12:00 (noon) Holy Communion Are met in thee tonight.